Star Tribune · Aug 12, 2023
Vikings' preseason opener underscored how mediocre their 2022 draft was
Vikings safety Lewis Cine, left, tackled Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the teams’ preseason opener Thursday night.@SouhanstribThe Vikings are big on tradition. This season they will honor the late Bud Grant, their legendary coach, and on Thursday night backup quarterback Nick Mullens paid homage to the end of the 2022 season by throwing a short pass to a tight end on fourth down.
The Vikings' 13-victory season ended when Kirk Cousins threw a check-down pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson on the last fourth down of the season instead of floating a pass in the general direction of superstar Justin Jefferson.
